How To Get Verified On Instagram: Your Guide To The Blue Tick

Today, that little blue checkmark is now enough to send marketers and brands into a frenzy.

We crave Instagram’s social status symbol like Gollum covets the “one ring”; and we believe in its power to validate who we are online.

So, what makes the Instagram seal of approval so special? Why is everyone tripping over themselves to get one, and most importantly – how can you claim your own?

You’ll have the answer to all of those questions by the time you’re finished reading.

What Does It Mean To Be “Instagram Verified?”

Most social media platforms have a verification symbol or process of their own, Instagram included.

Yet in today’s socially driven online world, the “blue tick” of IG carries a special significance and by far is the most sought after of the social status badges.

We see marketers spend more time looking for tips about the blue checkmark on Instagram than any other social badge online.

Perhaps it’s because Instagram is the social channel with the broadest appeal for millennials – the demographic with the most spending power. Maybe it’s because today’s marketers want to be just like the Kardashians. We can’t know for sure.

Whatever the reason for its popularity, it’s worth remembering what the checkmark symbol means. Despite what you may think, IG didn’t create verification for status purposes. Being verified on Instagram in 2018 simply means that you are who you say you are.

Currently, Instagram is the third largest social network with 1 billion users, just below YouTube and Facebook. With so many users online, people want to know for sure whether they’re talking to the real Tom Hardy, or a random super-fan in a venom suit.

Of course, just because we know the blue badge is about verification, not validation, doesn’t mean the masses on Instagram see it that way. While marketers and influencers have a grasp on the purpose and meaning of the badge, to others, the badge represents a symbol of:

• Authenticity • Popularity • Social status • Trust • And more…

Pretty powerful if you ask us. And it is. This “perception” by the general public often translates into real work benefits for those with the coveted blue tick.

In a world where figuring out how to get verified on IG is notoriously tricky, the blue check has become a way of indicating that we’re better than our competitors and is a discernable and viable differentiator you can use to stand out in the crowed digital landscape.

How To Get Verified On Instagram: Official IG Statements

So, how do you get that blue checkmark on Instagram? Why not take direction straight from the horse’s mouth?

With a few clicks of the mouse you can find out how to go about the process of obtaining the badge directly from IG themselves. After all, there’s likely no place better than to take your guidance than from the entity controlling all the cards in the deck.

According to Instagram, a verified badge is how they identify an authentic account for a “public figure, celebrity or global brand.” Seems pretty straightforward right?

Accounts adorned with these badges receive verification because they “have a high likelihood of being impersonated.”

In short, Instagram wants to make sure that:

1. You are who you say you are; and 2. That you or your followers are following the right people.

So what’s the lesson to be had here? Based on information from IG, in order to qualify or reach a status eligible for the “badge”, you must first become a “target” for impersonation (yikes).

In laymen’s terms, you need to become a public figure, global brand, or celebrity. Your goal is first to convince Instagram that you’re not “just” another user, but rather someone (or an entity) so popular that your followers might mistake others for the authentic “you” or that other’s may try to “imitate” you in the hopes of “stealing” some of your would-be followers for themselves.

Here’s how you can do that.

How To Get Verified On Instagram Step 1: Build Your Online Presence

It’s easy to assume that you need a strong following on Instagram in order to to get verified. After all, the brands with millions of followers seem to have no trouble getting that little blue badge.

However, the truth is that you don’t need to have millions of followers or drive a Ferrari to get noticed.

You just need a digital presence – and it doesn’t have to be on Instagram. In fact, you might be better off working on your identity or brand elsewhere first.

The fewer followers you have to begin with, the more Instagram will see you as at risk of being impersonated. Seems counter-intuitive but it’s true.

Building your identity elsewhere starts with finding your niche and your audience. Take a look at Zoella, aka Zoe Sugg, for instance. She began her reputation through a beauty blog and YouTube page before she ever got to Instagram. Now Zoella is a verified icon on Instagram, with over 10 million followers.

You can build your digital presence anywhere, but it’s worth considering parallel platforms as a primary target first. For instance, the link between Facebook and Instagram means that a presence on Facebook could help to build your credibility on IG. Additionally, the fact that both YouTube and Instagram are visual helps to align the two social channels.

How to Get Verified Step 2: Highlight Your Risk Of Impersonation

Instagram verifies the accounts that are most likely to attract copy-cats.

As it stands, 80% of Instagram users actively follow a company or brand on the app. Convincing IG that a blue checkmark would help those users to avoid following the wrong person helps you to both get, and stay ahead, of the competition and would-be imitators.

When detailing the risk of impersonation for your account, be sure to fill out the details of your profile accurately and fully. Be specific and unique with your content, creating a discernable and differentiated persona or brand that is dissimilar from others on the platform.

How To Get Verified On Instagram Step 3: Be Personal And Active

Instagram verifies accounts to guarantee they’re the authentic profiles of companies or public figures. If your IG channel is a ghost town, or there’s nothing unique about it, then they’re going to struggle to see the benefit in giving you the verified stamp.

A cold, impersonal, or boring account doesn’t give much value to IG followers. If you want to get ahead of the game, then you need to add personality and life to your posts. For instance, if you’re a fashion company, don’t just post pictures of your clothes – snap fun images of you and your team wearing them.

While it’s worth keeping a low profile, to begin with on Instagram, that doesn’t mean that your content should be stale, or posting schedule should suffer. Stay active and:

Post plenty of unique, inspiring photos: Find out what your followers want to see on their accounts with a competitive analysis, then flood their feeds with stunning images.

Use Instagram Insights: Use your IG business page to build up some user personas and create posts that appeal to your target audience.

Partner up: Work with influencers to give your content a boost and demonstrate your authority in your space.

Connect: Mention people in your posts, like comments and engage with your followers. Even Orlando Bloom knows how to give a shout-out on Instagram:

How To Get Verified On Instagram Step 4: Get Visible

The good news is that there are plenty of tricks you can use to boost your impact online. For instance, one great option is to learn how to use #Hashtags. Just like on Facebook and Twitter, IG hashtags help your fans find you on Instagram. Check out how Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson uses hashtags on his Insta page:

Ideally, you’ll want to use a combination of new, branded hashtags, and popular options like #InstaFamous or #TBT too. Other ways to improve your Instagram visibility include:

Working with influencers: Get a relevant mini-celebrity to help you raise your status with @Mentions and shout-outs.

Building earned media: Give press releases to magazines in your space and work on developing your Google SEO presence, as well as your social strategy. If you’re big on Google, then Instagram will see that you deserve verification.

Cross-linking accounts: Link to your Instagram account from as many locations as possible, including your email newsletters, blog posts, and other social channels.

How To Get Verified On Instagram Step 5: Just Ask

Last, but not least, why not ask to be verified on Instagram?

Up until recently, the idea of requesting a blue checkmark on Instagram was laughable. However, in 2018, Instagram started testing out a new verification process, which includes an official request form inside the Instagram app. The form isn’t available everywhere yet, but it should be rolling out around the world soon.

Since Instagram users care about verification more than any other social audience, the demand for the blue checkmark has started to cause some problems. In fact, there’s a black market for Instagram verification out there, where companies claim to offer verification for around $15,000.

Of course, most of these offers are scams.

The new request form on the Instagram app is the channel’s way of cutting down on these problems.

Application for Instagram Verification

Crucially, the requirements for verification are still the same – even if the process of application is more straightforward. If you want to know how to get verified on Instagram, you still need to prove yourself to be a figure of note in the digital world. At least now you have a way of reaching out to Instagram when you think you’re ready for your blue badge.

Getting The Blue Checkmark On Instagram

Ultimately, even with the new application form, getting verified on Instagram in 2018 isn’t easy.

You’ll need to put a lot of effort into building your online presence and proving your value. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time.

For bragging rights alone, a verified badge on Instagram makes you a force to be reckoned with. On top of that, you also benefit from increased credibility, a stronger presence online and an edge over the competition.

As the marketplace grows increasingly crowded, verification gives you the badge of honor you need to stand out from the crowd. Are you ready to get verified?

By Rebekah Carter

Hi! I'm Rebekah, a full-time writer specializing in the spaces of digital content, business, social media and tech.

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